Chapter 29
*Mostro Lounge*
“Are you sure you can do this ?” Jack asked, repeating this question for the tenth time.
“Jack if you repeat that question again, I will turn you into a goat” Roxana said.
“Alright just, remember, you're in enemy territory here. Stay sharp at all times.” Jack said.
Roxana sighed. “Child, I am over centuries old, this is not the first time I’ve done this !”
Grim snorted. “Grandma”
“And proud”
“Eyyy, Erebuhebi-chan ! Glad you could make it! I see you've got a sea urchin plus-one.” Floyd said.
Jack glared at him. “I told you not to call me that!”
“Well, well. Thank you for coming to our establishment so promptly.” Jade smiled. “Welcome to the Mostro Lounge. Is this your first time dining here?”
“Y'know, I've been wondering since lunch... Do you have a thing for asking' questions you already know the answers to?” Jack said annoyed.
Jade smiled. “Heh. I like to keep my bases covered. Now then if you would allow me to provide you with a rundown of our establishment... The Mostro Lounge is a meeting place for gentlemen. Any quarrels with other dorms are verboten here. Students from all dorms are expected to abide by Octavinelle rules on the premises. We pride ourselves on providing a place for everyone to enjoy under the same set of rules. With that out of the way... How may I assist you today?”
“I do want to drink a good espresso” Roxana said.
“Roxana !” Jack said in disbelief.
“What ? This is a restaurant, and I will order what I want” Roxana said.
“Can we go back to business ? We want to speak to the manager !” Jack said.
Roxana gave him a look. “Calm down Karen, we aren’t in a hurry”
“Heheheh... Very well. The manager is currently meeting with another patron.” Jade said with a grin. “Could I ask you to wait in the lounge until such time as his schedule opens up? And lest I forget, our establishment has a one-drink minimum. You must order at least a single beverage of some variety. Sea anemone, if you could take our esteemed customer's order?”
“Sorry, I've got drinks to run.” Deuce said exhausted.
“You do it! We're slammed over here!” Ace complained. “You keep making us do all the work while you're just sitting' pretty over there.”
“You're talking back to me? How impressively bold for a sea anemone.” Floyd glared at him.
The anemone on Ace head started to tug. “OWWW! Geez !”
“Quit tugging our anemones!” Deuce cried.
“Azul tasked me with instructing the new staff, so it falls to me to instill proper discipline in those who fail to respect authority.” Jade smiled.
“Ow ! Ow ! Ow ! Ow ! Ow! Okay, okay! I get it!” Deuce cried in pain.
“Hmmm. Do that more, I don’t think they learned their lessons yet” Roxana commented.
“Ouch harsh !” Grim said.
“Tch... You're just making a show out of hazing the rookies in front of us. It's making me sick.” Jack sneered.
“Is that your way of offering to take their place helping out around the lounge?” Jade smiled.
“Ooh, that's a great idea! I second that proposal!” Ace said. “All in favor? Aye! The ayes have it! Roxana and Jack are hereby nominated temporary assistants, effective immediately!”
“Hey, what're you trying' to pull?!”
“We're not picky, really. We'll take anyone, as long as they're willing to pull their weight.”
“You guys wouldn't want to get kicked out of the place, right?” Deuce asked.
“I'm runnin' on fumes here, c'mon, be a couple of pals and help us out.” Ace begged
“......” Jack stayed silent for a moment before he tsk-ed. “Tch... Fine, whatever. The sooner we wrap up our business here, the sooner I can go back to my dorm and catch a few winks.”
“What? Dude, it's barely nine. What time do you go to bed?” Ace asked.
“I'm always tucked in by ten.” Jack said.
Ace deadpanned. “Whoa, we got a serious model student over here!”
“So I can put both Erebuhebi-chan and Sea Urchin down for helping out with a shift, yeah? Perf. You can start by running these drinks to table three.” Floyd said.
“Absolutely not !” Roxana refused. “I will not help you at all ! And another thing, Ace after all this fiasco you will be punished severely beside Deuce, I do not tolerate people who made decisions in my place”
Thankfully, Jack and Grim were distracted by the A-Deuce, they were arguing and too busy to notice the interaction between the leech twins and Roxana.
“In that case I am afraid that we will have to kick you out” Jade gave her a fake ‘apologetic’ smile. “So do excuse me”
“You’re excused” Roxana said.
Jade blinked in surprise. “Pardon ?”
“You’re pardoned too” Roxana stood up and walked to the fish tank. “You know there’s something very interesting about my mother’s family, we have weapons everywhere, even in our jewelry” She showed him her ring, she took off the round black diamond her ring had to reveal a needle underneath.
She grabbed a white fish stabbed it with the needle then returned it to the tank before putting the black diamond in place to hide the needle again.
Jade, and Floyd watched as black veins started to appear on the fish, the fish itself was fighting its own body with the way it was moving…until it stopped moving.
“Seven seconds” Roxana said as she walked back to sit down. “That exactly what will happen to you if you dare to try and force me into anything, I do not play, I strike and I kill, I never let my prey run or be left alive, now, about that espresso”
“I will personally prepare you one” Jade said before walking away dragging Floyd with him.
Damn it. Jade greeted his teeth.
“A poison expert, are we sure she isn’t a hitwoman sent here ?” Floyd commented.
“Hitwoman work in the shadow, and they will never reveal themselves, she’s something else” Jade said.
Floyd gave Roxana a side look. “But you still agree she’s a killer of some kind”
“…I will ask father later”
It was a good espresso.
***
“Phew. The crowds are finally dying down.” Jack sighed.
“You practically put that rush in a headlock and gave it a noogie ! 'Appreciate the helping hand, Little pal” Floyd smirked.
Azul decided to come at that moment. “You got a veritable madhouse of customers under control. Most impressive indeed.”
“Azul!” Jack looked at him.
Azul smiled. “My apologies for the wait. The VIP room is ready now. Right this way if you would. Jade. Floyd. Get our customers some tea.”
Jade and Floyd smiled. “Right away, sir.”
*Mostro Lounge – VIP room*
“What IS this place? Are we really still on school property? Look at that huge vault... It's like some kinda bank.” Jack said while looking around the room
A vault ? Roxana thought while noticing the vault. Why does he have it in this room.
Azul sat down on the opposite sofa. “All right, that's enough rubbernecking. Please, have a seat. So, what would you like to discuss with me?”
“Guess” Roxana said.
“The release all 225 students from their contracts with me” Azul smiled. “That is quite the demand”
“You bamboozled that many people?! That's nuts!” Jack shouted.
“Yes, well, Jade and Floyd did a bit of proactive market outreach this year. Thanks to that, I've had no shortage of clients ready to strike up deals with me.” Azul smiled.
“Honestly” Roxana sighed. “If I had it my way, I wouldn’t even make a contract with you because I simple don’t care about the students, but you see” She smiled. “Crowley begged me and made a contract with me; he paid me Five Hundred Thousand Madols for this”
Azul’s eyes widened and so did Jade’s and Floyd’s.
“That bas…I mean, the headmaster gave you Five Hundred Thousand Madols to free the students” Azul said in disbelief.
Madols are the galleons while thaumarks are the Knuts. Roxana smiled. In other words, it’s big money.
“That’s why…let’s make a deal” Roxana smiled.
“Wait, what?! Have you lost it?!” Jack said.
Azul looked amused, recovering from the shock of earlier. “Oho. You want to make a deal with me? Now there's an interesting proposal.”
Floyd laughed. “Aha ha! Erebuhebi got some guts!”
“Hm. Now, while your interest is duly noted...” Azul looked at her. “There's a wee bit of a snag. You see, Roxana, my understanding is that you have no innate magical power.”
I have more than you can imagine. Roxana gave him a blank look.
“You're not gifted with a beautiful voice”
You never heard me sing you bastard. Her eyebrow twitched.
“Nor are you heir to any kingdom.”
I have an unlimited gold creator in my treasury you can’t even dream of having what I have ! and the Black family were the royalty of Britain until they decided to ruin themselves by associating with Voldemort and interbreeding like bunnies. Her finger twitched; she was about to cast a curse on him but held herself back.
“You're an utterly run-of-the-mill human in every possible way. Considering the big ask you're making of me; I would need considerable collateral.”
“Such as?” Jack asked, having a bad feeling about this.
Azul made a thinking face. “Hm, I don't know... Just off the top of my head, how about usage rights for Ramshackle oh sorry… the Slytherin Dorm, which is presently under Roxana's supervision?”
Did he just insult me…by calling the dorm Ramshackle ? I see, he’s trying to anger me, well. Roxana smiled. I’ll humor him.
“Hey... Was that your whole angle from the very beginning !” Jack shouted.
“What say you? Will you put Slytherin Dorm up as collateral and make a contract with me?” Azul said with a smile.
“Oh please, do humor me” Roxana smiled.
Azul frowned. She is not taking me seriously…
“What are the terms of the contract ?”
Azul gave her a fake smile. “That's the sporting attitude I like to see.”
Jack looked at her. “Hey! Are you serious?!”
“Here's the deal...” Azul said. “I bid you pilfer a certain photograph from the Atlantica Memorial Museum in the Coral Sea before the sun sets on the third day from now.
“You want us to steal a piece of art?!” Jack screamed.
Jade looked surprised at that request.
Oho ? Roxana noticed that.
“No, not a piece of art.” Azul said. “A photo. One commemorating a visit to the museum from Prince Riele, taken ten years ago.”
Please tell me he doesn’t have red hair, there’s so many Disney things in this world it started to give me a headache … Roxana thought.
“Gonna need more detail than that.” Jack said.
“It's a photo panel placed right near the museum entrance. It has no historic value whatsoever. Borrowing it would not cause any particular fuss.” Azul said with a shrug.
“Then why do you want it at all?” Jack asked.
“Heh.” The octopus smiled. “What's the point of a challenge if it's not challenging? If I were to concoct a trifling errand, I would simply be giving away my end of it, wouldn't I? I'm not running a charity here.”
“The Atlantica Memorial Museum is a renowned tourist attraction that houses a good twenty different cultural artifacts.” Jade said. “That includes the Silver Hair Comb, a Coral Sea national treasure, and the Mermaid Princess's Prized Cork Openers, among others. We're not asking you to find a speck of gold dust on the seabed here.”
“Oh, hey, didn't we go there on an elementary school field trip once?” Floyd said.
Elementary school field trip…photo ? Roxana raised her eyebrow. Must be something of his past.
“Hold on. The nation of the Coral Sea is at the bottom of the ocean, right? It's not exactly hospitable to land mammals like us with no fins or gills. I think you're asking,' too much here.” Jack said. “We can't breathe underwater”
“That sounds like a "you" problem...is what I would normally say but fear not.” Azul put a potion on the table. “I will provide you with our very own magic potions. They'll enable you to breathe underwater. Once, when a poor little mermaid princess fell in love with a human, the Sea Witch was kind enough to grant her legs to walk upon the earth.”
And she got scammed so her father had to help and blah, blah, blah, always hated that story. Roxana thought.
“And really, what are any of us without a sense of charity? Heheheh. So, what do you say? Do we have a deal? Will you agree to a contract with me? I'm afraid I don't have all day, so if you could make your decision now, I'd appreciate it. Chop, chop!” Azul said while putting the contract in front of her.
“Alright then, it’s a deal” Roxana smiled.
“Excellent! Go ahead and sign the scroll, then....”
“But can I add something in the contract ?”
Azul frowned. “What is it ?”
“Oh don’t worry it’s nothing bad !” Roxana took out her pen and wrote her part.
A magic pen, I never get out without these, so even if he want to take this out of the contract he won’t be able to. Roxana thought.
“I won’t be responsible for any corpse or accidental petrification ?” Azul read out loud.
Roxana just gave him a smile.
Azul fought the urge to role his eyes. “I give you my word that I will release the 225 sea anemones currently doing my bidding. Should you fail at your challenge, however...Slytherin Dorm will belong to me, and as a student of that dorm, you will do as I say! Heheheh... There we are. Signature received. The contract is now in effect. Should you successfully steal the photo from the Atlantica Memorial Museum and bring it to me before sunset on the third day from now...”
Roxana just shook her head. Is he in a drama club ?
“Jade. Floyd. If you could kindly walk our guest home? I'll see you in three days.”
*Slytherin Dorm – Hallway*
“Wow so gloomy” Floyd said.
“There’s enough light” Roxana said.
“Oho. So this is Slytherin Dorm. This is my first time inside, and already I'm smitten by its charm. It's close to school as well. It would be a perfect site for a Mostro Lounge branch cafe.” Jade said.
“There's ghosts living here, right? That sounds rad.”
“Why're you guys here, anyway?” Grim said coming out from Roxana’s room.
“Uh, 'cause this place is collateral in a deal between Roxana and Azul? Duh?” Floyd said rolling his eyes.
“Myah?!”
“Unlike the rest of you, Roxana has no power to put up as collateral.” Jade said. “So we're confiscating the dorm instead.”
“Say WHAT?! Roxana how could you !” Grim screamed but stopped when Roxana gave him one of ‘those’ smiles.
“This dorm belongs to Azul until you hold up your end of the bargain. Hence, I'm afraid I must ask you to vacate the premises immediately.” Jade explained.
“Don't worry, we'll give you time to pack your stuff. So nice, right?” Floyd said.
“Once this dorm officially enters Azul's possession, we will be disposing of all personal belongings in it.” Jade said. “I suggest you prepare accordingly.”
Good luck with that, everything in this place is warded and has a permanent sticking charm only the caster can take down, not even fire can destroy this place. Roxana thought.
“Heheheh. Don't worry! We'll give it all back if you bring us the photo before the third sunset.” Floyd smiled.
Both brothers laughed.
Grim run to the kitchen “MRAAAH! I gotta save all the tuna!”
Roxana entered her room and put everything in her trunk before shrinking it.
She was smiling.
***
“Are you two all set?” Jade asked.
“Peace, Erebuhebi and Baby Seal! See you around!” Floyd said.
“And if you're in need of lodgings, feel free to come and speak with us. Reservations for guest rooms in Octavinelle Dorm start at 100 thaumarks a night.” Jade mocked them.
*creak* *SLAM*
“Don’t worry Grim, I planned everything” Roxana smiled.
“I don’t like that smile” Grim commented.
Roxana gave a look at one of the gargoyle, the gargoyle eyes shone red before they turned to their original grey stone.
“Oh Azul, Azul, you should have asked why I added that addendum in the contract, I should start brewing the anti-petrification potion” Roxana said to herself.
Roxana apparated away to the Diasomnia dorm.
“Ugh I hate this way of travel” Grim complained.
Lilia blinked at her. “Roxana ? I didn’t know you would visit tonight”
“Ah Lilia, I hope you don’t mind if we stay here for a while ? I will tell you what happened” Roxana smiled.